Where do you see yourself in five years?

[RPower]

It's always a question asked at job interviews and for small business owners I imagine the answer is probably quite different.

Where would you like to see yourself personally in five years' time, and your business? I'm just asking as a bit of Friday fun.

 

[The Byre]

As stunt double for Nicki Minaj's left buttock.

 

[MikeJ]

I turned 50 earlier this year. In 5 years time I'll be retired.

Edit to add..

I may consider a consultancy role in this industry, maybe some teaching or lecturing, or maybe some arms reach investments into other businesses to keep my brain active. But, fundamentally, I'll not need to do anything.

 

[sirearl]

Comfortable.

 

[Bob]

^^^^^^
ditto

 

[Deleted member 226268]

.
I have been asked that question ( among other stupid questions )
several times in the distant past at various job interviews.

What the hell answer does the interviewer actually expect from the job applicant ?

The Truth > : I will be retired and sailing around the Caribbean in my new 46 Metre yacht.
Or
The Reality > : I will still be working here for a pittance in your company making you a lot of money.

.

 

[jackal999]

Dust somewhere, I was diagnosed with incurable bone cancer in Feb and was told I have 18-24 months left.

I live for today and enjoy it to the max I can.

 

[Tier1Logistics]

As I am only 26, looking to have a few good investments going and maybe another business in a completely different industry but I have no idea what yet..... Plus I will be marred in the next 5 years as I am getting married next month So in 5 years, I will be skint lol.

 

[Jeff FV]

I think that this is appropriate for this thread:

 

[The Byre]

Dust somewhere, I was diagnosed with incurable bone cancer in Feb and was told I have 18-24 months left.

I live for today and enjoy it to the max I can.

It is when I read a post like that, that I am brought up with a bang and am forced to realise just how lucky I have been. Here I am, nearly 65 years of age and not a damn thing wrong with me. In the mean time, many of my friends and ex-army buddies have died of heart attacks, cancer, or were killed in action back 'then'.

I wish I could speak words of comfort, but I cannot. Just enjoy putting ticks alongside items in your bucket-list.

 

[Benjie_P]

For me I think this question is designed to measure how serious the applicant is. To see if they really are serious about the job and if they are committed to long term relationship with the company and not just hopping around from company to company.

What I usually answer is:

Well, I see myself in the next five years still working in your company if you take care of your employees well. I may be in the higher position at the time though =).

It gives them assurance that I'll be staying for long with their company. That's just my opinion though.

 

[beasty]

Ask me in 5 years, i can give you a better answer then

 

[Jeff FV]

On this forum, moaning about how much better it was five years ago ...

 

[MASSEY]

 

[vvaannmmaann]

For me I think this question is designed to measure how serious the applicant is. To see if they really are serious about the job and if they are committed to long term relationship with the company and not just hopping around from company to company.

What I usually answer is:

Well, I see myself in the next five years still working in your company if you take care of your employees well. I may be in the higher position at the time though =).

It gives them assurance that I'll be staying for long with their company. That's just my opinion though.

So your answer is designed to satisfy what you think the potential employer actually wants to hear?

 

[HazelC]

I would like to have one office with up to 25 staff and looking at getting another office in 5-10yrs

 

[beasty]

My own globally recognised brand
Employed a mini me to basically run everything and report to me on my boat
I shall call him (Or her) number 1
Helicopter license

 

[barrov]

I want to be financially free (i.e. more income from passive income streams than outgoings). Of course I will still work, but it will be wonderful to know that I don't have to work to keep up with my outgoings.

I pray to still have good health, which is the most valuable thing that any of us can have.

Dust somewhere, I was diagnosed with incurable bone cancer in Feb and was told I have 18-24 months left.

I live for today and enjoy it to the max I can.

Jackal999, I wish you the very best of luck and sometimes the timescales that people are given are way off the mark: I hope you have much more time than you have been advised.

 

[ADNattan]

In five years, I'll hopefully be more established, more successful and bringing in more money.

This first year as a freelancer has been fun, and I'm getting by, but it's been a hell of a challenge. I'm looking forward to it getting easier as my reputation builds!

 

[Gillie]

Ermmm ... breathing!! That would make me content - and around to notice it too.

 

[SDLBiz]

I want to be a jockey but I think I'm too tall and fat for that so I don't think that will happen.

Honestly though, I hope to be alive. I know that may seem silly but I like to live in the moment and my future is unpredictable. Anything could happen.

 

[RPower]

@SamLowe Don't rule it out... check this guy out: http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/article/jim-lawless-practice-excellence-conference-preview/563623

Alive is good, successful is better.

For what it's worth, I hope to simply write for a living, be happy, well traveled, have a nice job, a nice house and perhaps a car! Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[The Byre]

I hope to simply write for a living,

If you want to write for a living, start right now. Writing is not something one does, it is something that happens to you, like an addiction. A writer HAS to write, just as a drummer has to drum and every other creative talent HAS to use that creative ability or they explode!

 

[JeromeJ]

Well, I hope to have made an investment in property. Gain some new qualifications then develop a mobile app/game as a side project. Also to get in shape and have a body like The Rock.

 

[BigTree]

More financially secure and get my own house.

Would be interesting to hear what people have achieved in the last 5 years for inspiration.

5 years ago my business was just starting out as a hobby and is now a major income and growing all the time. I'm also now a parent.

 

[ColinJarecky]

I hope that I start my own business

 

[MikeJ]

As an aside, the follow up (in this instance) is "What are you doing to get there? What's your plan?"

 

[dtdigital]

Rolling in money, on the beach with 2 cocktails and a dog!

 

[RPower]

@The Byre I do write for a living. Have been for 3 years now.

@dtdigital Count me in for the cocktails!

@BigTree Definitely a good idea - what have people done in the last 5 years? I've studied abroad, graduated Uni, worked in media for 3 years and moved to the UK so I'm (touch wood) on the right track!

How about everyone else?